Attend a Discussion Session

Message from the Director (January 30th, 2017)

Page Image

Page Content

Dear International
Students,

Please know that wherever you come from and whatever your
background, we warmly welcome you to the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz
Medical Campus and consider you an integral part of our community. Know too, that
we are here to help you navigate your immigration situation and offer the support that
you need to be successful. Please find below the information that we are able to
share with you as of Tuesday, January 31, 2017 regarding the President’s
Executive Order on immigration.

Ban on nonimmigrant entries, for at least 90 days, for nationals of Iraq, Iran,
Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen. Other countries may be added.
Nonimmigrant statuses include anyone in B, F, J, H, or
O status. The term “national” is somewhat vague, but does include
citizens of the listed countries. The ban does not apply to individuals with
dual citizenship from one of the listed countries and the U.S. The travel ban
does not include individuals who are citizens of a non-listed country who travelled
to one of the listed countries.

Suspension of the Visa Interview Waiver Program (VIWP), requiring all
nonimmigrant visa applicants, regardless of where they are from, to attend a visa
interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

Directive to the Secretary of Homeland Security, Secretary of State, and the
Director of National Intelligence, to immediately conduct a review to determine the
information needed from any country to adjudicate any visa, admission, or other
benefit under the INA (adjudications) in order to determine that the individual
seeking the benefit is who the individual claims to be and is not a security or
public-safety threat.

​​​Within 30 days, DHS must submit a report to the
President of its conclusions and include a list of the countries that do not
provide adequate information for adjudications. Identified countries will be
given 60 days to start providing required information.

After 60 days, DHS will submit a list of countries recommended to be
included in a Presidential Proclamation prohibiting the “entry of foreign
nationals” from countries that have not complied until compliance
occurs.

Directive to federal agencies to develop screening standards and procedures for
all immigration benefits to identify fraud and detect whether a person intends to do
harm. Agencies are directed to create a process to evaluate the person’s
“likelihood of becoming a positively contributing member of society” and
“ability to make contributions to the national interest.”

Directive to agencies to expedite the completion and implementation of a
biometric entry-exit system and includes reporting requirements.

Immediate halt to all U.S. refugee admissions for four months and indefinite halt
to all Syrian refugee admissions.

Several legal actions were filed in federal court in
response to the Executive Order and subsequent government actions. The full
consequences of these lawsuits are not yet clear, but several press releases were
issued on Sunday by the Department of Homeland Security.

Executive Orders Remain in Effect

On January 29, 2017, DHS issued a press release
confirming the agency “will continue to enforce all of President Trump’s
Executive Orders” and that “President Trump’s Executive Orders remain
in place—prohibited travel will remain prohibited, and the US government retains
its right to revoke visas at any time if required for national security or public
safety.”

Impact on Permanent Residents

Secretary Kelly of the Department of Homeland Security released a press statement Sunday evening clarifying how the Executive Order
applies to Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs): "I hereby deem the entry of lawful
permanent residents to be in the national interest.” Although Permanent
Residents will continue to be reviewed upon entry, “absent the
receipt of significant derogatory information indicating a serious threat to public
safety and welfare, lawful permanent resident status will be a dispositive factor in
our case-by-case determinations.”

A
January 29, 2017 DHS Fact Sheet describes Secretary Kelly's determination in
further detail: “[L]awful permanent residents of the United States will be
allowed to board U.S. bound aircraft and will be assessed for exceptions at arrival
ports of entry, as appropriate. The entry of these individuals, subject to national
security checks, is in the national interest. Therefore, we expect swift entry for
these individuals."

International Travel

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security stated that they
are working closely with airline partners to prevent travelers who would not be granted
entry under the executive orders from boarding international flights to the
U.S. To the extent possible, we would suggest that any member of our
international community who must travel fly directly into Denver International Airport
(DIA). In the past, Customs and Border Protection officials at DIA have been
willing to work cooperatively with ISSS to resolve issues with entry.

If you are from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria,
or Yemen, we strongly advise you not to travel outside of the U.S. until further
notice. If you know of a colleague or fellow student from any of these countries
who is currently outside the U.S., please let an ISSS staff member know
immediately. You can reach us by sending an e-mail to ISSS@ucdenver.edu or by calling (303)
315-2230.

Other Potential Impacts of the Executive
Order

As a result of this Executive Order, ISSS is anticipating
longer processing time for petitions and applications submitted to USCIS for
adjudication. Visa applications as U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad are also
likely to take more time. Finally, international students and scholars may
experience additional screening upon reentry to the U.S. after
international travel.

ISSS staff is closely monitoring this very fluid
situation, and will do the best we can to get relevant and reliable information to you
in a timely manner. Please do not hesitate to contact ISSS with any questions,
concerns, comments, or suggestions. You will find our current portfolio
assignments on the ISSS website here.
You may also contact me directly at Michelle.larson-krieg@ucdenver.edu
or 303.315.2235.

We understand that this Executive Order has the potential
to cause significant stress and anxiety for anyone who is impacted, either directly or
indirectly. It is very important that you take care of both your physical and
mental health. Talking to a mental health professional about managing stress,
staying focused on your studies, and healthy interpersonal relationship can be very
important.